LAKE CHARLES, La. -- In spite of a valiant four-score surge -- highlighted by a three-run shot from Dane Simon -- across the seventh and eighth frames shaving the margin down to just one, the Nicholls State University baseball program (20-31, 15-21 SLC) proved unable to avoid the series sweep by in-state rival McNeese (26-26, 19-16 SLC) during Sunday afternoon's weekend finale, faltering in a slim 6-5 matchup with the host Cowboys in the team's official close to the 2021 road schedule at Joe Miller Ballpark in Lake Charles, La.

An early one-run advantage for the Colonels -- generated off a double by Wes Toups in the third -- evaporated quickly in the home half of the same inning as the Cowboys knocked in a pair via a homer over the center-field fence; another two-run shot to wrap up the fifth along with a pair of solo home runs in the sixth vaulted McNeese ahead by a solid five-score edge. The Red & Gray, however, battled back in the seventh and eighth, plating a trio on a Simon blast to left field before a Justin Ory single to right knocked in yet-another score, closing the gap to just one. Forced by to go to the pen, the Cowboys' closer, Cameron Foster, took over the final 1.2 innings to ensure the eventual victory.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- With the loss, the Colonels fall to 20-31 overall for the season along with a 15-21 mark in Southland competition; meanwhile, McNeese improves to 26-26 on the year with a 19-16 record in league play.
-- On the mound, sophomore Nick Heckman (2-6) absorbed the defeat after chipping in a decent 5.1 innings of work, striking out four while surrendering six runs on six hits overall. Junior Joe Taylor handled the next 2.1 frames with relative ease -- gave up just two hits -- before senior Beau Balado wrapped up the day with nothing allowed on a short one-third inning appearance.
-- Beyond Simon and Ory, who racked up two hits apiece while combining for four total RBIs, only two other Colonels found their footing at the plate during the contest: Toups, who helped knock a run in behind an early double, and sophomore Austin Cain, who collected a single midway through the second.
 
ON DECK
With the road slate closed out, the Red & Gray return home for their final weekend within the friendly confines of Ray E. Didier Field, celebrating the squad's senior class across a four-game series against Sam Houston from Thursday, May 20 through Saturday, May 22 in Thibodaux, La.

STAY SOCIAL
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